the WILDERNESS OF A
a rollercoaster: exciting, mildly terrifying at times, with s the Phoenix area continues to explode in unexpected twists and turns, and suddenly it is nearly over population, its medical programs are growing to before I realized. match it. For medical students, the metropolitan area At this point, faced with arranging audition rotations is an attractive place to live, but we are also drawn here for and residency applications that will pave the way for our the wide variety of specialties and medical institutions the futures, the funny thing is that there are many students region has to offer. After the first two years of laser-focused still unsure of what kind of physician they want to be. studying via didactics, self-study, and preparations for board Medicine has grown at an incredible rate and there are more exams, be it USMLE or COMLEX, clinical rotations in the specialties than ever before, all with their own challenges latter half of our schooling are a whole new world. The both professional and personal, and it is impossible for board study blinders finally come off and we can stretch students to explore them all before being faced with the big out a bit, remembering what it is like to function in the real decisions. And now the waters seem muddier than ever for world again. It is finally a chance to apply our hard-earned those of us wading through this process with the imminent book knowledge to real patients. The clinical years are ACGME merger looming our time to not just get our ahead. The unified ACGME feet wet but to jump into the Match will apply to both deep end, explore the many Personally, I can attest to the students from MD and DO avenues of medicine, and see schools. where we fit into the medical fact that my third year has been And this, Dear Physician world. Unfortunately, these like a rollercoaster: exciting, Reader, is where you come two years can just fly by and in. Nothing in this article so suddenly decisions must be mildly terrifying at times, with far is news to you. In fact, made regarding specialty and the story may seem quite residency, sometimes before unexpected twists and turns, familiar. The experience and all options of interest have wisdom practicing physicians been explored. Personally, and suddenly it is nearly over have gained throughout their I can attest to the fact that before I realized. medical journey, all the way my third year has been like
